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Murder mystery

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano Review

April 3, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

 

 

 

Miss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn’t guaranteed to “take.” After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she’s finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym “Miss Quill.”

Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it’s simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.
When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she’s determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she’ll end up at risk as well.

As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there’s more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated. . . .

Available 4/4/17 (eBook) and 4/18/17 (print)

 

 

 

Throughout this entire book, I found myself smiling, giggling, and even laughing out loud once or twice. Permilia and Asher play off each other and navigate the perfect comedic dance. From the first pages of Behind the Scenes, I liked Permilia. Snubbed by society but unwilling to let that determine her worth, she finds other occupations to keep her entertained during the many times she’s not asked to dance. While she’s a strong woman, she also has a shy side with most men that is endearing.

The one man she has no problem speaking…her mind…with is Asher Rutherford. A business man with whom her previous interactions would cause her stepmother palpitations if she knew the entire tale. Yet Asher’s attentiveness and kind words cause her to view him in a different light.

 

As she and Asher try to unravel the murder plot against him, and the threat to her now as well, will spending more time together make them appreciate the other more or will Permilia’s headstrong willfulness and Asher’s stodgy opinions tear their budding relationship apart?

The first full-length book in the Apart from the Crowd series, Behind the Scenes delivers Turano’s spot on humor, a peek inside high society during the gilded age, and the fashions of the time. A truly delightful read.

My Rating:

 

Disclosure statement:

I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

If you love this book, check out others by Jen Turano: After a Fashion, In Good Company, Playing the Part

 

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Apart from the Crowd, Bethany House, Christian Fiction, comedy, CR4U, Gilded Age, High Society, Historical Fiction, Jen Turano, Murder mystery, New York, Series

How to Solve a Murder

August 23, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

The other day, someone on Facebook posted this picture:

if you can read this

This actually happens to me more often than I’d like to admit. I’m a bookworm and get immersed in a good book. The latest culprit? Janice Cantore’s first book in the Cold Case Justice series.

drawing fire cover

Homicide detective Abby Hart has a reputation of being professional and efficient. When she’s the lead on a crime, she will find the guilty party and bing him to justice. But Abby’s biggest case, the one she wants to solve more than anyting, is a twenty-seven-year-old cold case. One that took place when Abby was six: The murder of her mom and dad.

When a local glory-hound PI witnessess someone leaving the scene of a murder Abby has received the call-out for, she is forced to speak with him. Through subsequent conversation, she learns Luke Murphy also has a connection to the Triple Seven case involving her parents.

As the two share information and put their heads together, several dots connect and Abby believes there just might be enough to re-open the case for investigation to search for new evidence…if it’s out there.

Throughout Drawing Fire, I felt like I was working the investigations right along with Abby (questioning how the pieces fit together and that sense of accomplishment and relief when crimes were solved. Cantore’s twenty-plus years of experience on the policy force shines through her writing.

And the connection Abby and Luke are both fighting whenever they’re together is palpable.

But, I will warn you, this book ends with somewhat of a cliffhanger (or two). There are questions left unanswered. While a great way to get readers to come back for the next book in the series, it’s somewhat of a let down to know it will be another year before I’ll be with these characters again.

If you’re one of those people who refuses to read a series until it’s complete, definitely write this on down on your future TBR list. If you’re like me and enjoy a good book in your hands as soon as it’s available, pick this one up today.

Available at your local bookstore or Amazon today.

******Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Christian Fiction, Cold case, Homicide, Janice Cantore, Long Beach, Murder mystery, mystery suspense, Netgalley, Police investigation, Tyndale House

Dust and Obey by Christy Barritt

July 30, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

A little over two years ago, I stumbled upon a book called Hazardous Dutyabout a crime scene cleaner who stumbled into a murder investigation. Now I await every new adventure in Gabby St. Clair’s life (in addition to Christy Barritt’s other romantic suspense titles). Dust and Obey marks the tenth book in the series and I still cannot get enough of what’s happening in Gabby and her friends’ lives. Fans of this series will be thrilled to know that Riley Thomas lays a very prominent role in this book.

dust and obey

While driving home from a training session for her new job, Gabby receives a phone call from her ex-fiancé in which he asks her to help investigate the murder of a co-worker’s wife. The problem? The investigation will take place on an island. And Riley will be there. And the purpose of these weekend retreats is marriage counseling. Determined to protect her heart from getting smashed to pieces again, Gabby agrees to act the part of Riley’s wife. But narrowing down the suspect pool proves challenging as does avoiding her emotions.

dust and obey quote

Christy Barritt is a master of infusing humor into stories that would otherwise be tense and emotionally fraught. Gabby’s quirky character remains evident throughout the book—complete with randomly bursting into song, creating her own titles for her songs, and her concern and compassion for her friends. Her first session at the retreat is sure to make you smile, if not laugh out loud. But at the same time you will sense Gabby’s confusion, heartache, and turmoil.

Also, if you have not read the novella, While You Were Sweeping, written from Riley’s perspective during his separation from Gabby, you might want to check that out before delving into this book as it definitely gave me some great perspective on what Riley was hoping for from these three weekends away with Gabby.

Available for order here

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Amateur PI, christy barritt, Clean Read, Crime Scene Cleaner, Dust and Obey, Murder mystery, Mystery, romantic suspense, Squeaky Clean

Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering

July 29, 2014 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

murder at the mikado

Our three amateur detectives are back in the third installment of The Drew Farthering Mysteries. Madeline Parker and Drew Farthering are only a month away from their wedding when Drew’s past comes calling. A stage actor has been found dead in his dressing room and a former flame of Drew’s is the number one suspect. Fleur Landis was formerly an actress. Now she is married with a husband and child to protect. Drew is torn between helping her family and focusing on his fiancée.

As Drew, Madeline, and Drew’s best friend, Nick Dennison, delve deeper into the murder, Drew and Madeline’s relationship takes a turn Drew hadn’t expected. Will they be able to solve the mystery of the Murder at the Mikado? Will Drew and Madeline’s relationship survive the ghosts of his past?

I’ve enjoyed everyone of Julianna Deering’s books in this series. The main characters are likeable (even Chief Inspector Birdsong who gives Drew a hard time but encourages his assistance with investigations). Set in 1930s England, the places, characters, and scenes all fit. Book three was as engaging as the others. Maybe more so since I now know more about Drew, Madeline, and Nick.

Visit my other blogs to read about the first two books in this series. Rules of Murder and Death by the Book

****Bethany House Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. I was not compensated in any way for either a negative or a positive review.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: 1930s England, book review, Julianna Deering, Murder mystery, Who Done It

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